Avalanche Smashes 1M Daily Transactions—Thanks to a 20-Year-Old Korean RPG

Avalanche just hit a milestone most chains only dream of—1 million daily transactions. And the catalyst? A blockchain integration with MapleStory, the pixelated MMORPG your little cousin won’t stop talking about.

Gaming drives adoption—who knew? Well, besides everyone who watched Axie Infinity turn the Philippines into a de facto crypto economy. But hey, Wall Street’s still busy arguing about ‘real utility’ while gamers quietly onboard millions.

Pro tip for TradFi skeptics: Next time you dismiss crypto as ‘speculative,’ check which asset class just got a 7,000% traffic boost from a cartoon mushroom battle simulator.

Web3 Gaming Breathes New Life Into Avalanche

The catalyst behind this surge is MapleStory N, the first game in the MapleStory Universe, a Web3 gaming ecosystem developed by Nexon and built on Avalanche. The game officially Started on May 15, 2025.

Prior to the Start , Avalanche’s daily transactions typically hovered below 500,000. Since the debut of MapleStory N, the network’s activity has skyrocketed, highlighting the increasing role of Web3 gaming in driving blockchain adoption.

A Nostalgic Title with Web3 Innovation

MapleStory is a beloved name among millennials, particularly in South Korea and Southeast Asia. Originally released in the early 2000s, it became one of the first social online RPGs, allowing users to make friends, trade items, and engage in VIRTUAL economies — long before the concept of the metaverse became mainstream.

Now, its Web3 version leverages blockchain technology to enhance user ownership, tradable in-game assets, and decentralized economies. These features are key drivers of the Web3 gaming sector and align perfectly with Avalanche’s long-term goals.

Nexon’s Role in the Comeback

The company behind MapleStory, Nexon, is one of the largest gaming developers in Asia. Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Nexon has long been recognized for its pioneering online games and is now moving aggressively into the blockchain space.

Adding credibility to its Web3 ambitions, Nexon also holds 1,717 Bitcoin (BTC), purchased in 2021. This move signaled its early commitment to digital assets, and with MapleStory N, the company is expanding that strategy into gaming.

Alongside the game Start , Nexon introduced a new in-game currency called Nexpace Coin (NXPC). This token powers the MapleStory Universe’s digital economy.

However, NXPC has faced challenges since its initial surge. After reaching an all-time high of $3.77 shortly after its release, it has since dropped 64% to around $1.34, according to CoinGecko. Despite this dip, many investors remain optimistic about its long-term potential, especially if the MapleStory Universe maintains user growth.

Avalanche: Fast Becoming a Web3 Gaming Hub

Avalanche’s Web3 gaming ambitions have been gaining momentum since late 2024. A major breakthrough came with the Start of Off The Grid, a first-person shooter that gained popularity outside the traditional crypto community. The game was built on Avalanche’s GUNZ subnet, designed to support high-performance gaming applications.

This shift toward attracting mainstream gamers rather than just crypto natives has helped position Avalanche as a growing player in the blockchain gaming space.

Avalanche’s native token AVAX has also felt the impact. On May 14 — the day before MapleStory N Started— AVAX traded as high as $26. However, it has since dropped to around $20. While this price is below its December 2024 high of $54, the current network activity could fuel renewed interest in the token.

What This Means for Blockchain Gaming

The resurgence of MapleStory through a blockchain-powered version underscores a larger trend in the gaming world: the growing intersection between nostalgia, mainstream IPs, and Web3 infrastructure.

Avalanche’s ability to handle over 1 million transactions per day proves its scalability, which is essential for high-traffic games like MapleStory N. This performance may attract other developers seeking reliable platforms to build next-generation gaming experiences.

Final Thoughts

MapleStory’s Web3 transformation is more than a throwback; it’s a powerful case study in how established gaming brands can drive blockchain adoption. With Avalanche’s infrastructure, Nexon’s experience, and a large nostalgic fanbase, MapleStory N is not only reviving a classic but also reshaping the future of blockchain gaming.

As blockchain gaming continues to grow, platforms like Avalanche could be poised to lead the next wave of digital entertainment. The success of MapleStory N may just be the beginning.